Empirical Cycling Podcast “Why Not Rønnestad 30/15 Intervals” aka Brasted

Yes. HR is only half the stroke volume equation, which can be greatly effected by hormones etc.; the other half is, of course, stroke volume. Both are effected by venous return, which, in turn, is perhaps the one thing we have a lot of control over (and can “measure” externally) via muscle activity (high cadence), blood volume (hydration), and inspiration (breaths in).